Orlando City downs Richmond in soccer match at Citrus Bowl

May 25, 2011|By Nicole Saavedra, ORLANDO SENTINEL

Orlando City sits in first place after topping visiting Richmond in a United Soccer Leagues game on Wednesday.

Two early goals by Lewis Neal and Kevin Molino propelled Orlando City to a 2-0 win over Richmond (6-2-1). The win gives Orlando City (7-1-2) first place in the league and in the American Division. Orlando City's lone loss came to Richmond on the opening day of the season.

"We've been talking about this return game against them since the opening day of the season," coach Adrian Heath said. "Our players were really motivated for it, so I knew we would start quickly. Then we got a goal, which always helps."

Neal collected a pass from Molino and scored in the fourth minute.

"It was a magnificent [goal]," Neal said. "We lost to them in the beginning of the season, so it was a little bit of revenge tonight."

Molino scored in the 13th minute off an assist by Luke Boden.

"Kevin Molino is an awful lot of talent," Heath said. "We knew that when he came here. We know that if we nurture him, if he works hard at his game and gets a little bit of look, then we are going to have a really good player on our hands."

Orlando City sponsored Military Night. The Ruckus, a group of fans committed to supporting and growing soccer in Orlando, donated $600.57 to Wounded Warriors before the game. During halftime, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer inducted future soldiers into the military branches.

The win concludes a rigorous stretch of games for Orlando City. The Lions tied Rochester 0-0 and defeated Harrisburg City 3-1 on a three-day road trip. This was Orlando City's third game in six days.